​The best way to eliminate the stress associated with planning for Christmas is to get the ball rolling early.
When you want to make Christmas an enjoyable experience for yourself and your family, a little bit of forethought really does go a long way; and the best way to eliminate the stress associated with planning and paying for Christmas is to get the ball rolling early - and July is as good an "early" as any to start.
When you start thinking about Christmas a few months early, you'll be able to keep an eye out for great deals and promotions ahead of time. Plus, when you have a Christmas game plan in July and divide out the biggest tasks well in advance, you'll be able to enjoy the season and all the festivities without rushing around last minute in the December heat and humidity.
When you have a step-by-step plan of action, getting through the planning and shopping aspects of the season will be simpler and less stressful.
Create your budget early. A solid spending plan will contribute heavily to a stress-free and debt-free Christmas. Begin your Christmas planning by looking over your finances and determining how much you can really afford to spend. Be honest with yourself, as this budget will carry you through Christmas and into the New Year.
Address all aspects of Christmas in your budget, including gift giving, entertainment, food, greeting cards and anything else you need. This will ensure that you don't overspend in November or December.
Formulate a gift list. Create a list of everyone you plan to give a gift to and compare it to your gift-giving budget. Set a spending limit for each individual on your list and trim your list if your budget cannot support it. Jot down a few gift ideas for each recipient and run them against your budget before you set out to shop.
Readdress your budget. As the weeks go by, keep track of your Christmas spending. How does this stack up against your Christmas budget? How much money do you have left? Is your budget currently on track, or are you in danger of overspending?
You may need to make tweaks to your budget as you go, which is completely normal, but instead of raising the amount of money in your budget, just shift priorities as necessary.
Start shopping early. The earlier you shop, the more time you'll have to find the right budget-friendly gift. This will allow you to search for sales and bargains on the gifts you intend to give. If you want a budget-friendly Christmas shopping experience, be ready to shop around and comparison shop the sales leading up to the Christmas shopping season.
Plan the party early. A great deal of planning is required for Christmas get-togethers. Plan early and address your plans often to ensure that everything falls into place. Create a budget and a step-by-step guide for planning the occasion. Ask for help when you need it.
When it comes to the Christmas holidays, planning and preparation can go a long way. Put some thought into the holidays in July and you'll be a lot better off in December. There's no reason to get overwhelmed with the Christmas planning process by waiting until the last moment.
Be a pro-active Cheapskater and avoid procrastination; get a jump on a stress-free, budget-friendly Christmas season now. This is the best way to ensure that you can enjoy a leisurely, memorable, debt free Christmas with your family and friends.